The China-based robotic startup is raising funds for the Dobot M1 arm -- which is targeted at small businesses, desktop developers, educators and makers -- following last year's successful Kickstarter campaign for the original Dobot. The M1 prototype has since been tested by leading manufacturers such as Apple, Bose and Chow Tai Fook.

Like its predecessor, the Dobot M1 comes with an open-API software development kit, DobotStudio, that supports C++, C#, Python, Java, and other coding languages.

The Dobot M1 can be controlled by desktop software, 3D mouse connection, mobile apps and a manual joystick. The arm possesses advanced visual recognition capabilities, enabling it to differentiate moving objects in assembly lines by shape and colour.

The machine is equipped with a built-in mapping system and has a reach of up to 47 inches (1.2m), and is accurate up to 0.02mm. It operates at 200º/s speed with a 1.5 kg payload and 4*16*8-inch free working space default.

Mr. JerryLiu, CEOandFounderofYuejiang, said, "The Dobot M1 was born of the desire to make industrial robotic arms readily available for SMEs and independent developers, and the M1 represents our next step towards this goal. Our hope is that Dobot will become the foremost provider of affordable industrial robotic arms -- a machine for developers of all kinds to build virtually anything, anywhere."